Subaru of America set its fifth consecutive sales record in 2013, as its sales jumped 26 percent to 424,683 vehicles.

In a month when many brands struggled to eke out a gain, Subaru's December sales climbed 10 percent to 40,172, the best December in Subaru's history, the company said.

Subaru said more than 60 percent of its customers last year were new to the brand.

"2013 represents our fifth consecutive year of record-breaking sales. With more new product to come, our retailers can look forward to even higher sales in 2014," Tom Doll, Subaru of America's president, said in a statement.

Records in all regions

Bill Cyphers, senior vice president of sales, said 2013 was the second year that every Subaru region and independent distributor set a new sales record.

Sales in the Sunbelt -- an area targeted by the company for growth -- rose 45 percent last year, he said.

The redesigned Forester crossover was a major factor in Subaru's performance, with a 62 percent increase in 2013 to 123,592 units. Outback crossover sales were nearly flat at 118,049.

Two top 100,000

Subaru said this was the first year that Forester and Outback annual sales both topped 100,000.

Sales of the new Impreza-based XV Crosstrek crossover, introduced in late 2012, surged to 53,741. Sales of the rear-wheel drive BRZ coupe, co-developed with Toyota Motor Corp., doubled to 8,587.